Every player has that defining moment in their career. It is that moment where a player seizes the moment and changes the course of a game, a season, or even a career. Whether it was Joe Germaine’s last minute drive in the Rose Bowl, Eddie George against Notre Dame in the ‘Shoe, or Troy Smith against Michigan in 2004, Buckeye fans have plenty of defining moments to tie heroes of yesterday to that first time greatness was observed.
It doesn’t matter how many times I watch the play, I am still amazed by the touchdown pass that might have salvaged 2011 for the Ohio State Buckeyes. In an era when freshman are counted on more and more, it was two in Braxton Miller to Devin Smith, that created a moment fans and pundits will talk about for years to come. It may have been the uniforms, the night game, or Homecoming festivities, but whatever it was, the Buckeyes have changed the landscape in the B1G. With that let’s get to Scarlet and Gray Q&A.
Does Braxton Miller’s performance against the Badgers mean that he has arrived?
It is clear that the bye week may have had no greater impact on anyone other than Braxton Miller. The confidence that was evident from the true freshman was obvious just a few plays into the ball game. Sure, Miller’s pass intended for Corey Brown went as a long incompletion, but it was obvious that the pass was an indication that the reservations, present just a few weeks ago, may be a thing of the past. I know Braxton didn’t throw 35-40 passes. He didn’t even throw 15, but it was clear that each week, the coaching staff trusts the young quarterback a bit more.
The pass to Devin Smith provides a glimpse into the playmaking ability of possibly the next quarterback in college football. A friend remarked to me that a freshman doesn’t make that throw. The play is something that transcends years, film study, and playbooks. It is an ability that can’t be taught. Being a playmaker is an art form that is so organic in a career that coaches know just one thing about: when you see a playmaker, you play him.
There will undoubtedly be some more growing pains for Braxton Miller, but after watching the Wisconsin game, it just makes the choice of playing Joe Bauserman to start the year that much more perplexing.
With the defense having dominating back to back performances, how much better can this unit get?
Raise your hand if you had the Buckeye defense holding the Wisconsin Badgers to just 89 yards rushing. Yeah, me neither. For an offensive like Wisconsin’s to be rendered completely useless for quite a bit of the ball game is no small feat. Prior to the Michigan State game, Wisconsin was considered one of the most prolific offenses in the country, and the Buckeyes defense performed better against the Badgers than Sparty’s defense did. The scarlet and gray held the Badgers to 342 total yards and 29 points, while Michigan State gave up 443 yards and 31 points. If things continue this way, the Buckeyes could be the better defense at season’s end.
The youth on this squad continues to show improvement every week. Guys like Johnathan Hankins and Adam Bellamy are flourishing on the defensive line. If Hankins is this good now, how much better will he be in Week 12? And while the secondary was not without their flaws on Saturday, they are getting better every week. Christian Bryant and CJ Barnett are star safeties in the making. It will be interesting to see if the Silver Bullets achieve the level that other great Buckeye defenses have, but this group will get better.
How concerned should fans be with the secondary’s collapse at the end of the game?
It is hard to close out a ball game against a good team. Defenses that are considered better than Ohio State’s group have struggled towards the end of a game. Even Michigan State allowed Wisconsin back into the ball game late two and a half weeks ago. It is not a problem that just afflicts the Buckeyes.
The troubling factor is this is the second (and some could argue the third) where the secondary has struggled to finish a game. The group gave up 21 points against Nebraska, and fans hoped there wouldn’t be a repeat of that performance again this season. Unfortunately, it almost happened again against Wisconsin. Some can take solace in the fact that at least it was two pretty good offenses that this happened against. The Buckeyes will not face another offense as good as Wisconsin the rest of the regular season. They certainly won’t face a team with a quarterback who throws even close to as well as Russell Wilson. While there is some cause to fret, it is a trend that I can see happening again.
Would this team have more than five wins if Boom Herron had played the whole season?
In a word, yes. But much of why is not just Herron’s performance in the two games since he has been back and eligible to play.
All during Boom’s suspension, we heard Luke Fickell talk about the leadership that Herron provided the fledgling Buckeyes. It was comical to think that anyone would be led by a guy who was suspended twice for breaking pretty clear cut rules. I didn’t realize the emotional impact that Herron had on this football team, until I saw tears streaming down his face minutes before kickoff last Saturday night.
Add Herron’s prowess on the field, and it is clear that Buckeyes would have more than five wins at this point. There is no way the Buckeyes would be undefeated at this point, but it is conceivable to think they could be 7-1 or 6-2 at this point. I think the Buckeyes could have beaten Nebraska had Herron been eligible, and I wonder how much of an impact he would have had in the games against Miami and Michigan State. While Boom’s re-emergence has relegated Carlos Hyde to third on the depth chart, it is clear Herron’s impact has been felt the last two football contests. One can only wonder if Devier Posey will have a similar effect on this young football team.
Can the Buckeyes win out and go to the inaugural B1G championship game?
Ohio State playing in the B1G championship seemed so far-fetched three weeks ago, that it almost seems improbable that this is still a possibility. In fact, it even seems like a very likely scenario. As stated earlier throughout this piece, the Buckeyes won’t play a team as good as Wisconsin the rest of the season. The best part is their toughest remaining game against Michigan won’t count for a divisional game. Ohio State could conceivably finish with three conference losses and still win the Leaders Division.
Indiana should be a win. Purdue won’t be easy, but Ohio State should win this one. Nobody thinks Penn State is for real. If the progress continues, the Buckeyes will play for the right to represent the B1G in the Rose Bowl. If all of the above happens, expect Luke Fickell to be around for a while.
With the Hoosiers coming to town this weekend, this squad knows their path to the B1G title begins this weekend.
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